Ambassador Presbyterian Church

For the past ten years, I have preached from the New International Version (NIV) translation of the bible.  My reason for this was two fold.  First, since it came out in the late 70’s, the NIV has probably been the most widely read and memorized bible translation by evangelical Christians because of its easy readability.  It was the first bible I owned and used most during my early years of spiritual growth, and I knew it would likely be the one which most people in a young church like ours would be familiar with.  Secondly, the more literal translations (I’ll explain this in a moment) such as the New American Standard (NAS) or New King James (NKJ) which I often use in my study and preparation are at times awkward or even archaic in their expressions and thus come across to many as difficult to read or understand. 

Over the last couple of years, I’ve become more familiar with the English Standard Version (ESV) which came out a few years ago billed as more literal (than say the NIV) yet more readable (than say the NAS of NKJ), and over those years has received commendation from other pastors and theologians whose opinions I respect.   At the start of this new year, I am going to start using the ESV as opposed to the NIV on Sunday mornings.  
Why a different translation?  As most of you probably know, the bible was originally written in Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT), and the versions we have in our native languages (ie: English) are translations from the originals.  We who speak English are blessed to have many translations available to us, but that is also cause for greater understanding and discernment of the differences.  

Translations range from what we call formal equivalent or word-for-word translations which seek to adhere to the wording and order of the original documents, to dynamic equivalent or thought-for-thought translations which sometimes replace original words or phrases with more modern equivalents, to paraphrases which try to capture the essence of the originals using modern colloquial expressions.  All translations fall somewhere on that spectrum with the NAS being a good example of a formal equivalent translation, the NIV being a good example of a dynamic equivalent translation, and the Living Bible or the Message being an example of a more straight-forward paraphrase translation.   The first is optimal for in-depth study, the second seeks to blend the best of both and the third is more conducive to personal devotional use but would lack the needed correspondence with the originals for accurate study, teaching or preaching.   For a good overview and review of some different translations see this article.  
The ESV lies between the NIV and the NAS on that translation spectrum, favoring a more literal word-for-word translation like the NAS, while seeking to retain the readability of the NIV and capture the poetic beauty of the older versions such as the KJV.   For that reason, I hope a switch to the ESV in the coming year will further inspire our love for God’s word and satisfy our hunger for God’s truth.  

On Sunday December 9th, the group formerly known as the “young marrieds” bible study (currently looking for a new name) gathered at the Clark’s beautiful house for their annual Christmas party.

There was lots of food - which Link greatly enjoyed!

Ayla and Lincoln.

The anticipated White Elephant exchange. There were some well fought over items such as the Superman kit, a decorative shelf and the “Goonies” movie. Of course, there were the not so desirable gifts…sorry about the Barry Manilow tape Dan…

The very funny end times poster…fit right in with the most recent discussion in bible study.

Well, Ambassador Presbyterian Church is not actually going to Hollywood, but one of our own has already been there and is going back. 

As many of you know Link Neal, along with his friend Rhett McLaughlin, have been making waves on the internet with their videos, podcasts, and funny songs.   Their talent and humor has caught the eye of those in the entertainment industry, and they are going to be hosting a new national TV series on CW Network called “Online Nation” which debuts this Sunday, September 23^rd at 7:00 pm.   I’m writing this for two reasons. 

First, I’m sure Link would want you to know about the “preview party” this Sunday at 6:00 pm in Garner, open to all fans.  There will BBQ, music and of course watching the preview together.  You can get info and RSVP to that at their website at www.rhettandlink.com.  If you haven’t been there, you can check out some of their creative work as well.  

The second reason I’m writing is to reflect for a minute on this opportunity from a biblical perspective.  As I’ve been studying 1^st Corinthians for our Sunday morning series, two themes which are prominent in that letter are the idea of calling and gifting.   God calls us into a relationship with himself through the grace of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (1 Cor. 1:9).  God also gifts us with all kinds of gifts to be used for his glory (1 Cor. 1:7).  Then, interestingly enough, God brings those two things together in our lives by “calling us” into various vocations and circumstances where our calling and gifts can be used to magnify the glory and greatness of God (1 Cor. 10:31).  

Link and Rhett have been given an opportunity to work in what some believers might consider “the lions den” that is Hollywood and the entertainment industry.  But appropriately, it was God who called (literally sent) Daniel, a young Jewish man, into the service of a pagan king in a very pagan culture.   Daniel, by God’s grace and power and through the use of his gifts, rose to prominence and had a profound impact for God’s kingdom, despite the temptations and trials that literally had him facing lions. 

Having spoken with Link and Christy about these amazing developments in their life, I know they see these opportunities before him as a chance to glorify God by doing what he does well and by being in a strategic place where his work and their life together may open doors for the gospel.  We need to be praying for the Neals to have Daniel-like faith and courage and Christ-like grace and truth, as God opens those doors. 

At the same time, it is a good reminder that God has called and gifted each and everyone of us with similar opportunities wherever He has placed us, in the workplace, in our homes, in different roles in our lives.  May we be praying for each other to “do all that we do” for His glory, wherever that may be.  For God who has called you is faithful.     

As Steve Brown stated in the congregational meeting today, there are seven sub-committees representing each of the major areas of the new building.  Here at Ambassador, we are blessed with folks having many different skills and talents.  We urge you to prayerfully consider becoming involved, either as a member of a sub-committee or simply volunteering to consult on some particular aspect of an area.

Please contact the chair for the area in which you desire to serve.  It’s a great time to get involved!

Every now and then, I attend a conference both as a means of personal spiritual refreshment and as a pastor, it serves as a kind of continuing education opportunity.  I’ve been to different conferences with different emphases, and in every case I’ve come away both more encouraged and better equipped in my faith and walk with God.  I write this because conferences are not just for pastors or people in full time ministry.  There are a host of great opportunities out there for anyone to get away for a few days (often to a new or different location), sit under some great teaching and engage in fellowship with other believers that often develops into new friendships.  

I want to recommend a few conferences that I’ve attended, in case you want to take advantage of any of these.  Cathy and I have gone together, and it has been a wonderful getaway for us that also strengthens our faith together.  I’ve also gone as a personal retreat on my own.   If you’ve been to a good conference that you’d like to recommend, post a comment and let people know of that opportunity. 

Here’s a few recommendations and descriptions of upcoming conferences.  Click on the title of the conference for more information:

The Sovereignty of God: In the Shadow of the Almighty — Sept. 7-8, 2007 Charlotte NC (This is sponsored by Ligonier, the ministry of Dr. R.C. Sproul.  It is a great teaching conference with R.C. and other well-known pastor/teachers speaking.  There’s also one in the spring in Florida)

Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints — September 28-30, 2007, Minneapolis, MN (This is sponsored by Desiring God, the ministry of Dr. John Piper.  A great time of worship and teaching as well as good fellowship — Minneapolis is a beautiful city to visit outside of winter).  

Running Scared: Fear, Worry & the God of Rest — November 2-4, 2007, Valley Forge, PA  (This conference is sponsored by the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation with speakers like Paul Tripp and Ed Welch.  Usually focused on a particular counseling issue and addressing it from a thoroughly biblical and gospel-centered perspective.)

A Weekend To Remember - Family Life Conference — October 19-21, 2007, Durham NC  (This is a wonderful marriage enrichment weekend put on by Family Life ministries.  If your marriage needs a little fine-tuning or even a complete overhaul, this is a good place to start.)

Our mission team returned from Mexico tired, but filled with praise at God’s work in and through us. We went to Rio Verde in the state of San Luis Potosi and worked hard with a group from Covenant ARP in Statesville doing painting and repair work, children’s bible clubs and evangelism in the plaza at night. Our young people rose to the occasion, working hard and putting on a great puppet show for the kids in the clubs. We rejoiced to see several people come to faith in Christ, in particular a young student named Raul with whom we developed a great friendship that will now last into eternity. Many thanks to our Ambassador family for all your prayers and support, to Ruth and Juan Carlos Bonilla of World Witness for helping with arrangements and training, to Jeff and Sheila Osbourne for being gracious hosts to our team and showing us a servants heart for the Mexican people, and to our Lord Jesus who calls us and equips us to be his witnesses.

Check out the video of the trip on youtube.

Today was our second service at Penny Road Elementary…and our first service actually inside. (Last week, we met outside and enjoyed the breeze and the shade right next to the school.) Here’s a link for directions to our temporary Sunday morning home, until our building is complete near downtown Apex.

Beginning on July 1st, we’ll be moving from Olive Chapel Elementary School where we’ve met for the past nine years over to Penny Road Elementary School, 10900 Penny Road, Cary NC.   This move is necessitate by some changes at OCE this year, but God has opened a great door for us at Penny Road.  He’s giving us the opportunity to have a presence in and reach out to a new community in the run up to our eventual move to our new building.  Please be praying for this transition and for all the details we need to work out in the coming weeks and months.

Hello Ambassador Men!

Small groups are an important way for us to get involved in each other’s lives and grow closer as a church family, as well as work out the connection between faith and daily life — so I encourage you to join one!

The Men’s Covenant Group is a small group where men can be sharpened by the Word of God and be encouraged, strengthened and challenged in the charge to be godly husbands, fathers and leaders. The book we’re currently studying is called “The Disciplines of a Godly Man” by R. Kent Hughes. In it we’re discussing several important aspects of a man’s life and why godly discipline in these areas is so vital for growth in our walk with God. It’s topical, scriptural and practical. We began with a handful of men and are now around twelve men and growing. Walking together, authentic friendships are growing in breadth and depth as we pursue God and work out our faith amid the very real and often messy “rubber-meets-the-road” stuff of daily life. It always proves to be a great time of fellowship, discussion and prayer — so come join us!

What: The Disciplines of a Godly Man, by Kent Hughes
When: Every other Wednesday night from 7-9 p.m. (continuing throughout the Summer)
Where: Alternating between Peter Regulski’s home and Huntley Cuthrell’s home
Contact: Brett Blackman (919) 924-4801 (cell) bblackman@integrity.com

Additional Note:
Although we began the book in January, we’re only about half-way through — in other words, don’t think it’s too late to join us! Men are joining us all the time. The discussion material is topical, so anyone can come in at any point. It’s never too late to grow in God’s Word and develop strong friendships with men of like minds and hearts.

–Brett

It seems all to common in our day to awake to tragic news such as happened at Virginia Tech yesterday where over 30 students were gunned down in their dorms and classrooms.   It breaks my heart to think of those students, classmates, parents, faculty, and families who are suffering pain and loss beyond what they ever thought they would.  We who know and cherish the value of human life created in God’s image, also understand the reality of evil and sin, and the spiritual battle waged against that life from the beginning of creation.  Nevertheless, it does not soften or lessen the painful consequences of that battle waged in our midst, and at times in such tragic proportions.   What is our response at times like these?

After 9-11, I remember John Piper writing about ways we as Christians should minister to the hurting and suffering.  His words, and the words of Scripture, spoke to me and are certainly applicable in a time like this, so I reprint them from Desiring God Ministries blog here in summary form, and include a link to the full article which contains scripture references.   Let us be praying for the family and friends of those killed at VT, for the healing, both physical and spiritual, of those wounded or hurt by this tragedy, and for our own lives to be lived in full awareness of the temporal nature of this world and the eternal life promised and secured in the gospel of Jesus.  

 21 Ways to Minister to Those Who Are Suffering  by John Piper  (taken from Desiring God website: www.desiringgod.org)  

(Bible verses to accompany each item on this list are available in the full article.) 

1. Pray. Ask God for his help for you and for those you want to minister to. Ask him for wisdom and compassion and strength and a word fitly chosen. Ask that those who are suffering would look to God as their help and hope and healing and strength. Ask that he would make your mouth a fountain of life. 

2. Feel and express empathy with those most hurt by this great evil and loss; weep with those who weep. 

3. Feel and express compassion because of the tragic circumstances of so many loved ones and friends who have lost more than they could ever estimate. 

4. Take time and touch, if you can, and give tender care to the wounded in body and soul. 

5. Hold out the promise that God will sustain and help those who cast themselves on him for mercy and trust in his grace. He will strengthen you for the impossible days ahead in spite of all darkness. 

6. Affirm that Jesus Christ tasted hostility from men and knew what it was to be unjustly tortured and abandoned, and to endure overwhelming loss, and then be killed, so that he is now a sympathetic mediator for us with God. 

7. Declare that this murder was a great evil, and that God’s wrath is greatly kindled by the wanton destruction of human life created in his image. 

8. Acknowledge that God has permitted a great outbreak of sin against his revealed will, and that we do not know all the reasons why he would permit such a thing now, when it was in his power to stop it. 

9. Express the truth that Satan is a massive reality in the universe that conspires with our own sin and flesh and the world to hurt people and to move people to hurt others, but stress that Satan is within and under the control of God. 

10. Express that these terrorists rebelled against the revealed will of God and did not love God or trust him or find in God their refuge and strength and treasure, but scorned his ways and his Person. 

11. Since rebellion against God was at the root of this act of murder, let us all fear such rebellion in our own hearts, and turn from it, and embrace the grace of God in Christ, and renounce the very impulses that caused this tragedy. 

12. Point the living to the momentous issues of sin and repentance in our own hearts and the urgent need to get right with God through his merciful provision of forgiveness in Christ, so that a worse fate than death will not overtake us. 

13. Remember that even those who trust in Christ may be cut down like these thousands who were in New York and Washington, (or these 33 were in Blacksburg, VA)  but that does not mean they have been abandoned by God or not loved by God even in those agonizing hours of suffering. God’s love conquers even through calamity. 

14. Mingle heart-wrenching weeping with unbreakable confidence in the goodness and sovereignty of God who rules over and through the sin and the plans of rebellious people. 

15. Trust God for his ability to do the humanly impossible, and bring you through this nightmare and, in some inscrutable way, bring good out of it. 

16. Explain, when the time is right, and they have the wherewithal to think clearly that one of the mysteries of God’s greatness is that he ordains that some things come to pass which he forbids and disapproves of. 

17. Express your personal cherishing of the sovereignty of God as the ground of all your hope as you face the human impossibilities of life. The very fulfillment of the New Covenant promises of our salvation and preservation hang on God’s sovereignty over rebellious human wills. 

18. Count God your only lasting treasure, because he is the only sure and stable thing in the universe. 

19. Remind everyone that to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

20. Pray that God would incline their hearts to his word, open their eyes to his wonders, unite their hearts to fear him, and satisfy them with his love.

21. At the right time sound the trumpet that all this good news is meant by God to free us for radical, sacrificial service for the salvation of men and the glory of Christ. Help them see that one message of all this misery is to show us that life is short and fragile and followed by eternity, and small, man-centered ambitions are tragic.